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The AMBC American Confederation Junior Continental Championships was recently held in San Jose, Costa Rica, and the continental event was used as a great preparation tool for September’s AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships.

Bout of the finals

Costa Rica’s Junior National Champion Taylor Lopez and Puerto Rico’s Cristian Rivera produced the best bout of the junior event in San Jose, where the 16-year-old Lopez displayed his bravery and technical skill to earn the Light Flyweight (48 kg) gold medal on home soil.

Rivera also performed impressively and tried hard throughout the entertaining contest, but it was the hand of Lopez which was raised after the final bell.

Both Lopez and Rivera will be keen to extend their strong form against worldwide opposition in September.

Team of the event

Dominican Republic topped the team rankings in the AMBC American Confederation Junior Continental Championships, after their talented hopes claimed two gold medals.

Jose Nunez Sosa secured their first gold medal in the Bantamweight (54 kg) final against Puerto Rico’s Justin Gomez.

Nunez used his speed to great effect, and beat his rival by unanimous decision.

Dominican Republic’s second gold medal was delivered by Eury Cedeno, who defeated Puerto Rico’s Addiel Perez in the final of the Featherweight class (57 kg).

Surprise of the event

Guatemala’s Jose Carlos Lopez Quintanilla was an unknown boxer at international level before the AMBC American Confederation Junior Continental Championships, but secured an exceptional gold medal in Costa Rica.

The Guatemalan boxer had to meet with Costa Rica’s two-time National Champion Francisco Castillo in the final, and was able to achieve victory in their Middleweight (75 kg) gold medal bout.

Quintanilla has continued the success of older teammates, such as AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Lester Martinez, and Central American Games winner Carlos Daniel Tobar.

One to watch

Puerto Rico’s Junior National Champion Abner Figueroa became the first winner in the Championships when he stopped Costa Rica’s Luis Calderon in the Pinweight (46 kg) final.

Figueroa is a promising talent who has a bright future ahead of him.

Fact of the event

Five decorated nations took part in the most recent edition of the AMBC American Confederation Junior Continental Championships, and four of them achieved a gold medal.